Advice from Our Professionals

Informative articles by Youth First’s Service Team

Holiday Gratitude and Giving are Good for Your Mental Health

By Julie Hoon, Youth First, Inc. - Updated 12/7/2022 The busy holiday season brings many priorities, and our mental health does not always earn a spot at the top of the list. However, gratitude and giving can have a direct link to improved…

School and Parent Communication is Vital

By Nolan Miller, MSW, LSW, Youth First, Inc. Throughout the school year, kids are constantly learning new material and building upon their strengths. Even after the first day jitters dissipate and students settle into a routine, new…

Snapchat and Internet Safety

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By Beth Greene, MSW, LSW, Youth First, Inc. Teens often use social media to socialize. Although the internet is an amazing tool for our children, that reality is that it can also negatively affect their mental health and safety. It…

The Positives of Respectful Parenting

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By Haley Droste, MSW, LCSW We’ve all heard it at some point: “That child needs to be spanked,” or “My parents did (insert punishment here), and I turned out fine.” Each generation has made significant changes in parenting…

Helping Kids Grieve

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By Jennifer Kramer, MSW, LCSW, Youth First, Inc. I once had a student say to me, “I thought death only happens to people when they get old.” What a world that would be, where everyone got to live long, happy lives. The reality…

Setting Limits is Good for Your Child’s Mental Health

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By Amy Steele, MSW, LCSW, LAC, RPT Telling children “no” can be a difficult task for parents and caregivers. Many parents shy away from saying no, and some will do anything to keep a child from becoming upset. When adults fail to…